Written ByJamieIf you’re comparing the Ping G440 irons vs Taylormade Qi irons, you’re looking at two of the best-performing game-improvement irons on the market.
I’ve tested both extensively on the course and with launch monitor data, and this post breaks down everything I learned.
I’m a 7ish handicap working toward a 2, and golf gear tester since 2015.
Quick Summary: Similar but different.
- Sound, feel (good, not great), and forgiveness are similar.
- I hit the G440s much higher and farther. (I suspect some of that is owed to swing differences at the time of testing)
- It comes down to looks, launch, and which one gives you more confidence at address.
Let’s dive deeper.
In this comparison, I break down my testing of both sets—from looks and feel to forgiveness and playability—so you can confidently choose the right iron for your game.
Ping G440 Irons
Set Tested: 4–UW, Black Dot
Shaft: Ping AWT 3.0 Stiff Flex (Made by Nippon)
Why Consider the them?
The Ping G440 irons combine distance, forgiveness, and a clean look—ideal for mid-to-high handicappers.
A thinner, faster face boosts ball speed and distance, even on off-center hits. The PurFlex badge improves feel and sound.
They launch high and straight thanks to a low center of gravity and compact shaping. High MOI keeps dispersion tight and helps you hit more greens.
G440 Specs
| Club | Loftdegrees | Liedegrees | Lengthinches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 19.0° | 60.5° | 39 1/4″ |
| 5 | 22.0° | 61.0° | 38 1/2″ |
| 6 | 25.5° | 61.5° | 38 3/4″ |
| 7 | 29.0° | 62.0° | 37 ″ |
| 8 | 33.0° | 62.8° | 36 1/2″ |
| 9 | 37.0° | 63.5° | 36″ |
| PW | 42.0° | 64.1° | 35 1/2″ |
| AW | 47.0° | 64.1° | 35 1/2″ |
Ping G440 7-Iron Launch Monitor Data
| Metric | Ping G440 |
| Club Speed (mph) | 80 |
| Ball Speed (mph) | 116 |
| Carry Distance (yds) | 181 |
| Launch Angle (°) | 16.7 |
| Peak Height (ft) | 85 |
Customer Reviews – What Others Are Saying
There are 6 reviews and all 5-star at Ping’s website.(1)
The Gist:
- “Classic Ping feel with a cleaner, confidence-inspiring look.”
- “Improved my index by two strokes in a couple of weeks.”
- “Better than Mizuno and Srixon I tested. Incredible numbers and feel.”
- “High launch, solid distance—even at 72 mph swing speed.”
- “If you’re a high handicapper trying to level up, these are game-changers.”
Taylormade Qi Irons
Set Tested: 4 & 5 hybrid, 6-iron – PW
Iron Shaft: KBS Max MT 85 g stiff
Rescue Shaft: Ventus Blue TR stiff
Taylormade’s Qi irons are engineered to produce one thing: straight, forgiving shots.
They’re designed to fix the most common issue for average golfers — missing right — and they do it with:
- Cap Back™ + Speed Pocket™ design for faster ball speeds and high launch.
- FLTD CG™ — center of gravity is optimized for each iron to improve gapping and playability.
- Straight Flight Bias — unlike other GI irons, the Qi irons reduce side spin and help keep shots online.
- Solid, confidence-inspiring profile at address.
From my testing, these irons deliver:
- Excellent forgiveness on toe strikes.
- Predictable, repeatable ball flights.
- Lower launch than G440s — so lower ball hitters should test before buying.
They’re ideal for:
- Golfers who fight a slice or fade
- Players who want distance without unpredictability
- Mid and high handicaps looking for a “point-and-shoot” iron
Taylormade Qi Combo Set Specs
| Club | Loft (°) | Lie (°) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Rescue | 22 | 58.5 | 40.25 |
| 5 Rescue | 25 | 59.0 | 39.75 |
| 6 Iron | 24 | 62.5 | 37.88 |
| 7 Iron | 28 | 63.0 | 37.25 |
| 8 Iron | 32 | 63.5 | 36.75 |
| 9 Iron | 37 | 64.0 | 36.25 |
| PW | 43 | 64.5 | 35.75 |
| AW | 49 | 64.5 | 35.5 |
Taylormade Qi 7-Iron Launch Monitor Data
Note: I didn’t record numbers for the G425s at the time of testing, but based on on-course experience, their performance is similar.
Customer Reviews – What Others Are Saying
The Qi irons average 4.8 stars from 797 reviews.(1)
One consistent knock: a few reported quality control issues early after launch, like clubheads loosening. However, those appear rare.
The Gist:
- “Increased my scores by 3 strokes since switching.”
- “Longer and straighter than my old set — especially on off-center hits.”
- “Feel amazing when flushed, but still forgiving on mishits.”
- “Confidence booster — love the look at address.”
Key Differences: Ping G440s vs Taylormade Qis
They have the same playing characteristics of forgiveness and help with distance. Feel was also similar.
I hit the G440s farther and higher on average than the Qis, which are some of the lower flying game improvement irons out there.
Category | G440s | Qis |
|---|---|---|
Looks | B | B- |
Sound & Feel | B | B |
Distance | A | B |
Forgiveness | A | A |
Flight/Launch | A | B |
Value | A- (~$157/club) | A (~$143/club) |
7-Iron Launch Monitor Data: G440 vs Qi
Note: Seems clear from the table below that the higher launch and carry meant more yardage for the G440 7-iron.
Metric | Ping G440 | Taylormade Qi |
|---|---|---|
Club Speed | 80 mph | 82.6 mph |
Ball Speed | 116 mph | 113.6 mph |
Carry Distance | 181 yds | 168.3 yds |
Launch Angle | 16.7° | 13.2° |
Peak Height | 85 ft | 51 ft |
Looks – G440s
I like, don’t love the G440 cosmetics. The heads look forgiving and set up great behind the ball for added confidence.
The Qis are pretty plain, which I’m generally a fan of. But they don’t do it for me.
Sound & Feel – Draw
They both sound good and only slightly clicky when you catch the sweet spot. The click is more pronounced the worse the contact.
Distance – G440s
They launch easier and flight higher, which accounted for the distance difference. My swing speed and ball speed were better for the Qis.
Forgiveness – Draw
They’re both generous and allow for healthy misses without severe punishment.
Launch/Flight – G440s
The Qi’s launch and fly lower, but they hold their line well and I found them accurate. They’re both workable and can be flighted.
Value – Qis.
They’ve been out a while and are priced accordingly.
G440s – ~$157/club
G425s – ~$143/club new
Final Verdict
Ping G440s and
- Equally forgiving.
- Similar sound and feel.
Which should you choose?
Need max help with launch and distance?
It’s the G440s for you.
Need less help with launch and/or distance?
It’s the Qis for you.
As always, my #1 suggestion is to test both sets before you buy. Either at your local shop or through Global Golf’s Utry program.
Thanks for checking out our Ping G440 Irons vs
Longer & Higher Launch
Ping G440 Irons
Pros
- ✓ Large, forgiving clubheads
- ✓ Plenty distance
- ✓ Good sound and feel
- ✓ Launch the ball well
Cons
- ✕ Not a big improvement over G430 irons
Better Value
TaylorMade Qi Irons
Pros
- ✓ Solid forgiveness & distance across the face
- ✓ Launch well w/ good trajectory
- ✓ Good sound and feel
Cons
- ✕ Launch may be a low for some
